Young marijuana plants grow indoors under lights at the Fireweed Factory in Juneau on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Young marijuana plants grow indoors under lights at the Fireweed Factory in Juneau on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Alaska marijuana tax collections set another record

Alaska’s March marijuana tax revenue topped $1 million and set a new monthly record, according to figures released last week by the Alaska Department of Revenue.

The news keeps the young industry in line with the state’s official projections for growth.

According to the department’s tax division, Alaska collected $1.090 million in marijuana excise taxes during March. Official collection figures trail the tax payment deadline by one month. Figures for April will be available at the start of June.

The March figure was the most the state has ever collected from marijuana businesses in a single month, signaling that the industry has not yet reached its growth limits. The old record was $1.041 million in January.

In Alaska, state marijuana taxes are collected at the wholesale level, when bud and other plant parts are sold from farms to retailers. The tax, established by the same 2014 ballot measure that legalized the industry here, is $50 per ounce of bud and $15 per ounce of other plant parts.

The state’s flat tax is the only such tax in the country; all other states with legal marijuana levy a tax based on a percent of the retail or wholesale price. The Alaska Marijuana Control Board is considering whether to advise the Legislature to switch the state’s tax structure.

According to the Department of Revenue figures, marijuana farms sold 1,106 pounds of marijuana bud and 852 pounds of other plant parts in March. Both figures are up from February, when 880 pounds of bud and 806 pounds of other plant parts were sold.

The number of taxpaying marijuana farms continued to grow. In March, the state listed 92 taxpaying farms. That number has risen in every month since the state’s first retail sales in October 2016.

Fairbanks has the most taxpaying marijuana farms (20), with Anchorage second at 17. Juneau has four taxpaying farms.

The state expects to collect $4.6 million in marijuana taxes during the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. In the next fiscal year, which starts July 1, the state expects to collect $9 million.

Municipalities across the state also collect local sales taxes on marijuana. Figures on those collections were not immediately available.


• Contact reporter James Brooks at jbrooks@juneauempire.com or 523-2258.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 3

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

William Todd Hunt guides the Taku Winds ensemble through a rehearsal of music by Indigenous composers on Tuesday evening at Thunder Mountain Middle School. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Taku Winds will be blowing wildly this weekend with concert featuring Indigenous composers

“Eagles, Ravens and Wolf” scheduled at 7 p.m. Saturday at Thunder Mountain Middle School

Þorsteinn Þorsteinsson looks at a moulin on the Sólheimajökull glacier on Oct. 20. A moulin, or glacier mill, is a crevasse through which water enters a glacier from the surface. (Jasz Garrett / For the Juneau Empire)
Breaching a gap of 3,296 miles: Iceland’s experience with jökulhlaups

Glacial outburst floods a threat there for more than 1,100 years — what can Juneau learn from them?

Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, speaks to members of the Senate majority caucus’ leadership group on Friday, April 12, 2024. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Education, energy and elections among priorities of Alaska Senate’s post-election agenda

Senate’s previous bipartisan majority will continue, albeit a bit smaller, after election.

A statue of William Henry Seward stands outside the Dimond Courthouse in downtown Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau man gets 18-year prison sentence for sexual abuse of a minor

Craig Foster, 63, pleaded guilty to charge involving girl between 9 and 11 years old.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Nov. 4, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 48, the carbon credits bill, on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in the Alaska House. At background is Department of Resources Commissioner John Boyle and staff supporting the bill. (James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Alaska House control flips from predominantly Republican coalition to mostly Democratic coalition

Preliminary election results show the new House majority will have at least 22 members.

Most Read